GENDER

As a result of the double oppositional correlation, a specific system of three genders arises, which is represented by: the neuter (non-person gender), the masculine (masculine person) gender, the feminine (feminine person) gender.

The strong member of the upper opposition is the human subclass of nouns, it's sememic mark being "person", or "personality". The weak member of the opposition comprises both inanimate and animate non-person nouns. Here belongs such nouns as TREE, MOUNTAIN, LOVE, etc.; CAT, SWALLOW, ANT, etc.; SOCIETY, CROWD, ASSOCIATION,etc.; BULL and COW, COCK and HEN, HORSE and MARE, etc.

In cases of oppositional reduction, non-person nouns and their substitute (it) are naturally used in the position of neutralization.

E. g. :

Suddenly something moved in the darkness ahead of us.

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